Two party members quit their council cabinet posts in protest against his sacking of an assistant mayor following losses in this month's local elections.

Liverpool's Liberal Democrats are calling for the role of city mayor to be scrapped following the 2017 election of Steve Rotheram as regional mayor.

Mr Anderson said he had "a job to do... and I'll get on with it".

He has headed the city's Labour group since 2003 and has led Liverpool City Council since 2010, with two years left of his current term.

Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption
Steve Rotheram was elected metro mayor of Liverpool City Region in 2017

The Liverpool Labour row comes after internal disagreements over rough sleeping strategies, the financial deal for Everton's new waterfront stadium, the future of the council's heritage assets and failed developments.

On 18 May, after Labour lost three council seats in Liverpool in the local election, Mr Anderson sacked Councillor Nick Small - who ran the party's election campaign in the city - from his post as assistant mayor.

Former deputy mayor Ann O'Byrne and former council cabinet member Steve Munby resigned later that day in protest against the mayor's decision.

Analysis: Claire Hamilton, BBC Merseyside political reporter

Three of his most senior cabinet members departing and previously loyal colleagues accusing him of not listening has not gone down well.

He is fortunate to have a wealth of experience to draw on to replace those who have left his top team.

His supporters say those who quit cabinet "got the mood music wrong" but, with some in his own party questioning the need for a city mayor and a metro mayor, the next two years of his second term in office won't be dull.